Stamford Board of Representatives Regular Meeting – August 4, 2026

The 32nd Board of Representatives of the City of Stamford held a regular meeting on Monday, August 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers and remotely. President Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. with 37 members present (later 38) and 3 absent. The meeting included committee reports, public comment, and approval of numerous consent agenda items. Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as August 3, 2026, but the summary uses the date provided in the instructions.

Invocation, Pledge, and Roll Call

• Invocation delivered by Rev. Martha McCreight, Pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (District 14).
• Pledge of Allegiance led by President Shaw.
• Roll call: 37 members present; 3 absent/excused (Reps. Salas, Weinberg, Yeager). Later, Rep. Yeager arrived, making 38 present.
• Moments of silence for Renie Teitelman and Mohammed Naziry.
• Communications: Steering deadline August 5; Steering meeting August 10; Next regular Board meeting September 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Birthday acknowledgments for Reps. Adams, Lapine, and Majority Leader Morson.

BOE Liaison Report

• Rep. Noah Lapine reported:
  • Replacement CFO for Stamford Public Schools: external candidate Benjamin Chan (MBA Wharton, BS Brown) expected to be approved by BOE on August 25.
  • Assistant Superintendent for Secondary: internal candidate Scott Clayton (former Schofield Magnet Middle School principal) selected.
  • School construction updates: West Hill paving, Roxbury K-8 demolition and portable removal, Lockwood Avenue lower school design phase, Horton Street upper school design review, plus $20 million in improvements at other schools.
  • Encouraged sign-up for SPS construction newsletter at spsbuilds.com.
  • Next BOE meeting: August 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kieran Edmondson (remote): Urged approval of Fiscal Item F32.095 for fire training funding, citing the need for operational readiness across Stamford’s 12 fire departments.
• Sue Halpern (remote): Expressed full support for conservation commission ordinance LU32.009, arguing the EPB is overburdened and a separate commission is needed to address greenhouse gases, urban heat, and flooding. Asked for a public hearing.
• Kathie Kravec (remote): Spoke on behalf of Rob Fagno, alleging unfair treatment. Asked the Board to review the matter before it is settled, noting the family has sought resolution with the Mayor without success.
• Gina Calabrese (remote): Noted the Board’s website lacks instructions for signing up to speak, which may limit diversity of voices. Expressed strong support for conservation commission public hearing, citing environmental pressures and flooding. Criticized opposition as potentially driven by housing development interests.
• Dave Adams (remote): Supported conservation commission public hearing, criticizing the Land Use Committee meeting for involving a person with financial interest in land use legislation and submitting amendments described as "likely unlawful." Urged passing the item without revision.
• Valerie Jaro (in person): Mother of Stephen Barrier, who died in Stamford police custody on October 23, 2019. Accused the Mayor, police, and other officials of failing to provide accountability or release body camera footage. Demanded justice and asked the Board to intervene. The speaker became emotional and was asked to maintain decorum after her time expired.

Standing Committees – Consent Agenda Actions

All consent agenda items were approved by unanimous voice vote unless noted.

Steering Committee

• Motion to waive the Steering Committee report approved unanimously.

Appointments Committee

• Nine appointments approved on consent (all previously approved by committee 8-0-0):
  1. Laura Tessier (D) – Environmental Protection Board reappointment (term to 12/1/2028).
  2. Thomas Romas (D) – Environmental Protection Board full seat (term to 12/1/2027).
  3. Joseph T. Gambino (R) – Environmental Protection Board new appointment (term to 12/1/2027).
  4. George Legierse (R) – Parking Violations Hearing Officers (term to 12/1/2028).
  5. Raina Siladi (I) – Zoning Board of Appeals (term to 12/1/2027).
  6. Enton Nikaj (I) – Zoning Board of Appeals (term to 12/1/2029).
  7. Steven Cohen (U) – Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (term to 12/1/2028).
  8. Lucas Severo (D) – Economic Development Commission (term to 12/1/2028).
  9. Anthony Romano – Director of Administration (term to 12/1/2029).
• Rep. Graham abstained from Item 9.

Fiscal Committee

• Items F32.094 ($50,000 Youth Employment Program), F32.095 ($57,054 Fire Training), and F32.096 ($2,262,233 Yerwood Center Renovation) approved on consent.
• Items F32.092 (Graviton Consulting) and F32.093 (Forum Group contract) – no action taken (held by Board of Finance).
• Item F32.097 (rejection of capital project closeouts with ARPA funds) – no action taken; effectively allows funds to be used for Yerwood Center.

Legislative & Rules Committee

• LR32.016 (repeal Appointments Commission) – postponed definitely, no action.
• LR32.017 (reporting requirements for mayor’s appointees) – approved for third public hearing on consent.
• LR32.020 (delegating Shellfish Commission authority to Harbor Management Commission) – approved for public hearing on consent.

Personnel Committee

• P32.011 – Rejection of collective bargaining agreement between WPCA and Operating Engineers Local 30. The motion to reject failed (committee vote 0-6-0). By not rejecting, the agreement stands. Final vote on the floor: unanimous in favor of not rejecting.

Land Use/Urban Redevelopment Committee

• LU32.009 – Ordinance establishing a Conservation Commission. Approved for public hearing on consent (committee vote 6-2-1).

Operations, Parks & Recreation Committee

• OPR32.012 (E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course 2026 fees), OPR32.013 (Terry Conners Ice Rink fee schedule), and OPR32.015 (boiler upgrades at Government Center) approved on consent.
• OPR32.016 (Mill River Park policy overview) – report made, no further action.

Public Safety & Health Committee

• PS32.010 (review of blighted property procedures) – recommitted to Steering after technical difficulties; no action taken.

Community Development, Housing, Education, Social Services, State & Commerce (CHESS) Committee

• CHESS32.019 – Rejection of $500,000 allocation to Pacific House for 15 affordable housing units at 66 Stillwater Avenue. Failed to reject (committee 0-9-0), so the allocation stands. Final floor vote: unanimous in favor of not rejecting (Rep. Pelliccia abstained from Item 1).
• CHESS32.020 – Rejection of $150,000 allocation to Charter Oak Communities for security deposits for up to 60 housing choice voucher households. Failed to reject (committee 0-9-0), so the allocation stands. Final floor vote: unanimous in favor of not rejecting.

Transportation Committee

• T32.005 – Approval of contract with Stantec for Washington Boulevard Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Enhancement Project Design (RFP 2025.0147). Approved on consent (committee vote 7-1-0).

Minutes Approval

• Minutes of the July 6, 2026 Regular Board Meeting approved on consent (voice vote 36-0-2; Reps. Camporeale and Goldberg abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Appointments approved (all on consent): 9 appointments to various boards and commissions, including Anthony Romano as Director of Administration.
• Ordinances set for public hearing (on consent): LR32.017 (reporting requirements for mayor’s appointees) for third public hearing; LR32.020 (Shellfish Commission delegation) for first public hearing; LU32.009 (Conservation Commission) for public hearing.
• Collective bargaining agreement approved (rejection failed): WPCA and Operating Engineers Local 30 contract stands.
• Affordable housing allocations approved (rejections failed): $500,000 for Pacific House (15 units at 66 Stillwater Ave.) and $150,000 for Charter Oak Communities (security deposits for 60 voucher households) both approved.
• Youth Employment Program funded: $50,000 grant approved.
• Fire training funded: $57,054 grant approved.
• Yerwood Center renovation funded: $2,262,233 capital appropriation approved.
• Government Center boiler upgrade approved: Contract and bid waiver with Blake Thermal Sales & Service.
• Golf course and ice rink fee schedules approved.
• Washington Blvd. pedestrian/bicycle safety design contract with Stantec approved.
• Blighted property review postponed to August committee meeting.
• Next regular Board meeting: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

Adjournment

• President Shaw called for a motion to adjourn at 8:24 p.m.; the motion passed.